A charming 1950s three-bedroom detached home in suburban Cheltenham appears typical from the street. Inside, however, the living room lacks a TV or sofa, and the main bedroom upstairs holds just a settee, wardrobe, and ample empty space.

Since 2020, Phil Campbell and Kathy Farmer, both 65, have chosen to sleep nearly every night in a treehouse at the garden’s far end. Their evening begins early: after dinner, they kindle a fire in the living room, sit on the floor to benefit the spine, converse, and enjoy music. Around 8 p.m., Phil heads to the treehouse, illuminating the path and preheating the bed like a human warmer. Kathy follows about an hour later, and they drift off quickly.

Origins in Pandemic Fresh Air

Sleeping outdoors originated as Kathy’s response to pandemic advice emphasizing fresh air for virus protection. They placed a camping bed in the treehouse and started in June. Kathy recalls initial worries: ‘At first we did think – what if we get hypothermia and don’t wake up in the morning. But then we just thought “Oh well”.’

Originally planned until Christmas Eve, they extended the habit. Phil notes: ‘Everyone asked what was wrong with us, but there’s nothing wrong! We’re stepping back into nature.’ Their dog stays indoors, dubbed ‘the most expensive kennel in Cheltenham,’ to avoid nighttime excitement.

The couple returns inside only to care for their baby granddaughter overnight.

Nature’s Lullaby and Morning Refresh

The open-sided treehouse, festooned with fairy lights, offers a cozy retreat despite exposure to elements. A nearby river babbles them to sleep alongside rustling trees, while the dawn chorus greets them each morning. No alarm needed—they rise rested. Phil sometimes stirs at 3 a.m. for moonlight chats before Kathy nods off again.

Phil describes: ‘It’s amazing to wake up to the sounds of nature. You see the squirrels chasing each other and baby deer playing.’

Kathy calls it a nightly ‘mini holiday,’ shedding daily stresses for deep rest. ‘It’s improved our sleep patterns and given us more energy. But most importantly for me, it gets rid of agitation and repetitive thoughts. The things that I used to think about have just gone… You just leave everything in the house.’

Health Turnaround Through Lifestyle Shifts

This arrangement emerged amid Phil’s health challenges. Previously battling sepsis and metabolic syndrome at 22 stone, tests during a 2020 blood donation uncovered polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer overproducing red blood cells. Despite risks like heart attack or stroke, Phil stayed positive: ‘The body receives what the mind believes. I just didn’t take it on board.’

Treated with regular therapeutic phlebotomies, Phil and Kathy embraced breathwork, meditation, cold therapy—including ice baths, showers, and wild swims—and trained as Wim Hof Method instructors. Phlebotomy frequency dropped from biweekly. Two years ago, during a family lunch, his consultant confirmed complete remission. Phil shared casually: ‘Great news. I haven’t got cancer anymore.’

Now treatment-free at 64, Phil credits his fitter state than at 50 to these changes, contrasting with peers declining. Kathy shed three stone via breathwork, minimal diet tweaks like skipping cream and coconut oil.

Adapted to the Elements

Through experimentation, they crafted a dry platform from pallets and mattress, topped with sheepskin against damp. They’ve endured -12°C nights unfazed. Their bodies, hardened by cold exposure, stay warm year-round. Phil goes barefoot everywhere, even shopping or in London, claiming it feels better.

On a chilly midwinter day, they chat in T-shirts over ceremonial cacao. Storms? They weather them snugly, ignoring news. Nighttime needs? Phil uses a bottle; Kathy heads inside or opts for nature.

Mornings start with in-bed meditation and breathwork, Phil fetching coffee. They run Tribal Breath workshops on breathing and cold therapy.

Fun Over Convention

With five children between them, the lively pair prioritize joy. ‘When you talk to people our age, they talk about retirement, what pills they are on, death and wills. All we want to do is have fun,’ Phil laughs.

They donated their TV and bed to family, embracing simplicity. Early mornings feature Five Tibetan Rites in fields—Phil shirtless, Kathy in sports bra—and UK holidays include private ‘chunky dunking.’

Kathy sums up: ‘We don’t take our lifestyle too seriously; we’re just having a barrel of fun with it.’ On returning indoors? Perhaps in their 90s, ‘when someone tells us we have to,’ they joke.